Li Chenghe chuckled.
This Meng Hao was indeed quite interesting.
He possessed black technology that could crush the top military research and development laboratories of every country in the world, yet he insisted his company was a private enterprise producing "large-scale mecha toy figures."
Furthermore, according to Zhang Weimin.
The mechs produced by Huarong Industrial had first been utilized by the old Russians.
Their own country's high-precision "toy mechs" had been beaten to the punch by the Bear Country, which had even used them in exercises close to actual combat, suppressing Western nations and destroying hundreds of billions of dollars worth of military robots.
It was regrettable, truly a bit regrettable.
However.
Having the Bear Country test the safety of this "mecha figure" first, and then equipping the Great Xia forces, didn't seem so bad.
After a period of discussion and evaluation.
The senior officers of the J Province Military Region, led by Li Chenghe, finally reached a consensus.
First, the Phantom, the mecha that Zhang Weimin had driven back over 1800 kilometers from the Qiongzhou Island resort, would be disassembled and studied.
Second, once the approximate technical parameters of the mecha were determined, they would immediately contact Meng Hao.
Third, after contacting Meng Hao, Huarong Industrial would be incorporated as a J Province military enterprise, and Meng Hao would be recruited into the military.
Such a talent, capable of shaping the world, would be a pearl lost in the sea, a waste of heaven's gifts, if left in the private sector.
The civilian officer responsible for recording the meeting jotted down the unified opinions of the participating generals, forming a written document that would become the meeting minutes.
It was prepared for the generals to review and sign before being officially submitted to the relevant departments for implementation according to the commanders' orders.
As the meeting was about to conclude.
Someone suddenly knocked on the door.
Several agile, well-built officers, unfamiliar to them, entered.
Although they wore military dress uniforms, they bore no rank insignia on their shoulders.
The one leading the group walked up to Zhang Weimin and gave a standard military salute.
"Sir."
"According to the instructions of our Headquarters' supreme commander."
"Your meeting decisions are to be entirely overturned!"
What?
They had spent two to three hours discussing here.
And the decisions made by the top generals of the J Province Military Region were to be overturned?
One of the generals, with a rather impetuous temper, immediately showed his displeasure.
"Which unit are you from?"
"On what authority do you command the J Province Military Region?"
"Who gave you the qualification?"
The leading officer, without any insignia, handed a red-stamped document to the highest-ranking officer of the J Province Military Region, Li Chenghe.
Lieutenant General Li Chenghe.
He was considered a top figure in the military circles of the entire Great Xia nation.
He glanced at the stamped document, and his expression immediately changed.
His previously relaxed demeanor, even his dismissive attitude towards these unranked officers, turned extremely cautious and serious.
"Please report, we are executing the highest directive!"
"No one in the J Province Military Region will make private contact with Meng Hao; we will not interfere with the business operations of Huarong Industrial; we will immediately arrange a dedicated aircraft to transport the Phantom powered mecha to the location designated by the highest directive..."
As soon as Li Chenghe finished speaking.
The previously temperamental general immediately became unhappy.
"This powered mecha was flown back by our Colonel Zhang Weimin, all the way from Qiongzhou, a journey of nearly two thousand kilometers, flying at low altitude... why should they have it? Which unit of equivalent rank is this? I want to seek an explanation from my superiors!"
Li Chenghe raised an eyebrow.
His expression was slightly flustered.
He lowered his voice, restraining the hot-tempered general.
"Old Zhang, silence!"
"I will emphasize this again."
"The J Province Military Region will unconditionally, without reason or demurral, execute the highest directive!"
As if fearing the general surnamed Zhang hadn't heard clearly, he deliberately stressed the words "highest directive"!
What?
The highest directive?
That meant these unranked colleagues were from the capital!
As for the department they represented, and the department that issued this directive, it was the Great Xia National Homeland Security Defense Headquarters!
This was...
How could they possibly argue?
Argue with the Highest Headquarters about a powered mecha?
They must have rocks in their heads.
After all.
In any country.
No matter how high your rank in the military, a soldier's primary duty is obedience.
"The, the highest directive!"
"An order from Headquarters!"
"Then, then we must comply, we must obey unconditionally!"
The general with the quick temper immediately sat down with a sheepish grin, not uttering another word.
Seeing Li Chenghe choose to cooperate without any hesitation.
The leading officer gave another standard military salute.
"General Li, thank you for your cooperation!"
"Furthermore, Headquarters has another order: all information concerning Meng Hao and Huarong Industrial is classified as top secret. No leaks, no interference, no contact!"
"Additionally, Colonel Zhang Weimin, please accompany us to the capital. Headquarters' intention is that your nearly two-thousand-kilometer flight back with the powered mecha has filled the void in our nation's military mecha field and provided invaluable experience."
"Headquarters hopes you will continue to serve on the front lines as an Air Force pilot. Your military affiliation will be transferred from J Province to Headquarters. Do you accept?"
What?
He wouldn't be leaving the front lines of piloting?
And, judging by the officer's words, he would primarily be testing powered mechas in the future!
This was simply wonderful.
As for his military affiliation being transferred to Headquarters, for any officer with even a slight ambition, this was a choice promising boundless prospects and rapid promotion.
However, for Zhang Weimin.
As long as he could continue to fly fighter jets and soar through the skies... and even become the first person to test military mechas, it was already a great honor.
Promotions and wealth, etc.
He truly didn't care about them!
"I do, I do!"
"Actually, with my physique and fitness, I can fly until I'm fifty-five, with at least ten more years of fighter pilot life left."
Seeing both Zhang Weimin and Li Chenghe choose to execute the Headquarters' highest directive.
The officer grinned slightly.
The mission was a complete success.
"Very good."
"After you finish packing and complete the procedures, report to Headquarters as soon as possible!"
"Furthermore, as a commendation, Headquarters has decided to promote your rank to Brigadier General, this is the wish of the highest leader... I hope you will not fail his expectations!"
Having accomplished all this.
Those officers politely took their leave.
"Old Zhang, congratulations."
"When you're done, let's get together to send you off!"
"When you get to Headquarters, keep up the good work, and don't bring shame to us of the J Province Military Region!"
Zhang Weimin immediately stood up, straightening his back.
"Old Chief, rest assured."
"I, Zhang Weimin, will always be your soldier. No matter where I go, I will not bring shame to you or our J Province Military Region."
Li Chenghe smiled even more brilliantly.
He waved his hand.
"You go take care of your affairs, complete the procedures as quickly as possible, and report to Headquarters!"